Short Summary

Two ex-cabinet ministers defied a government ban on political meetings on September 13 when they addressed a crowd of over 5,000 and explained why they had resigned from Dr.

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Two ex-cabinet ministers defied a government ban on political meetings on September 13 when they addressed a crowd of over 5,000 and explained why they had resigned from Dr. Siaka Stevens Government. A state of Emergency was declared by Dr. Stevens last week after the resignations of Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Forna and Development Minister Dr. Mohammed Bash-Taqi. On Tuesday (September 15) new ministers were sworn into the government following a cabinet reshuffle.

The political meeting was called by the "Committee of Citizens", headed by the two ex-ministers, contending that the ban on such meetings was illegal. The crowd was told that the resignations had come because they disagreed with Dr. Stevens on constitutional matters, mainly concerning the change to republicanism and the change to an executive presidency. The meeting ended with stones and bottles being thrown and armed police being called in.

Two new ministers were sworn in on Tuesday (September 15) by acting-Governor-General Mr. Justice Ganja Tejansie in a minor cabinet reshuffle following the resignations. The Finance portfolio was given Mr. Sembu Forna, the former Transport and Communications Minister.

The two new members being sworn into the cabinet were Mr. Edward Karbgo, who becomes Transport and Communications Minister; and Mr. A Khazali who becomes Development Minister. Mr. Karbgo was previously Deputy Minister of Defence in the Prime Minister's office.